Slough Town
3
Bicknell (1-0), Thorp (2-0), Fiore (89)
Chesham United
1
Hammatt (46)
League
Attendance: 1060
Mark Fiore
Slough Town turned the tables on big-spending Chesham United on Saturday, proving that neither money nor big names can buy success in the Ryman League Premier Division. Acting Rebels boss Paul Hardyman made just one change from the team that drew with Bishops Stortford on Tuesday, bringing in Matthew Bicknell for the injured Mark Holzman.
And it was Bicknell who towered above the Chesham defence in the 28th minute, powering home his header to give the Rebels the lead for the third time in successive games. There was an added spice to the game with the return of former Rebels Lee Randall, Mark Pye and the Chesham player/manager Graham Roberts.
But it was the face of former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar that the fans came to see and the Rebels made sure he went home red-faced. It was Grobbelaar's mistake that led to Bicknell's goal after he failed to hold onto a cross from the left. His parry was picked up by defender Richard Peirson who crossed superbly for Bicknell to direct his header into the empty Chesham net.
Five minutes later the Rebels increased their lead thanks to the determination of Fiore. His shot crashed against the post with Grobbelaar beaten, but, luckily for the Rebels, the ball rebounded straight to Michael Thorp who stretched out his foot, neatly side footing the ball home.
Second-half substitute Allan Pluckrose, who replaced Randall, struck straight from the restart as the Slough Town defence went to sleep. His cross, driven hard across the Slough box, eluded the whole Slough Town defence and found striker Bryan Hammett.
With only Paul Wilkerson to beat, Hammett could even afford to glance his diving header off the side of his head, giving Chesham and Grobbelaar a lifeline.
But the script had already been written, more than likely by man of the match, Mark Fiore. As Grobbelaar went walkabout in the 89th minute Slough substitute Gary McVie chased back to rob the former Liverpool star who was left stranded for the third time in the match. The ball fell to the cool and collected Fiore who took just one touch before curling his 25-yard shot into the top corner of Grobbelaar's empty goal.
And it was Bicknell who towered above the Chesham defence in the 28th minute, powering home his header to give the Rebels the lead for the third time in successive games. There was an added spice to the game with the return of former Rebels Lee Randall, Mark Pye and the Chesham player/manager Graham Roberts.
But it was the face of former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar that the fans came to see and the Rebels made sure he went home red-faced. It was Grobbelaar's mistake that led to Bicknell's goal after he failed to hold onto a cross from the left. His parry was picked up by defender Richard Peirson who crossed superbly for Bicknell to direct his header into the empty Chesham net.
Five minutes later the Rebels increased their lead thanks to the determination of Fiore. His shot crashed against the post with Grobbelaar beaten, but, luckily for the Rebels, the ball rebounded straight to Michael Thorp who stretched out his foot, neatly side footing the ball home.
Second-half substitute Allan Pluckrose, who replaced Randall, struck straight from the restart as the Slough Town defence went to sleep. His cross, driven hard across the Slough box, eluded the whole Slough Town defence and found striker Bryan Hammett.
With only Paul Wilkerson to beat, Hammett could even afford to glance his diving header off the side of his head, giving Chesham and Grobbelaar a lifeline.
But the script had already been written, more than likely by man of the match, Mark Fiore. As Grobbelaar went walkabout in the 89th minute Slough substitute Gary McVie chased back to rob the former Liverpool star who was left stranded for the third time in the match. The ball fell to the cool and collected Fiore who took just one touch before curling his 25-yard shot into the top corner of Grobbelaar's empty goal.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Paul Wilkerson
- 2 Justin Channing 14
- 3 Matthew Bicknell 15
- 4 Richard Peirson
- 5 Simon Line
- 6 Michael Thorp
- 7 Erwin Asselman
- 8 Graham Kemp
- 9 Andrew Deaner
- 10 Neville Roach 12
- 11 Mark Fiore
Substitutes
- 12 Graeme McVie 10
- 14 Kenny Hughes 2
- 15 Paul Hardyman 3